Rev. Fr. Samuel Aniebonem, a Catholic priest, and five other people have been held by the police anti-kidnapping unit in Awkuzu, Oyi Local Government Area, Anambra State, for allegedly belonging to the Movement for Actualization of Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).
When the group’s office was raided in Ifitedunu, Dunukofia Local Government Area, the state, three people were taken into custody.
The priest was reportedly detained when he went to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awkuzu to learn what precipitated the police’s detention of his 87-year-old in-law, Sylvester Dinyelu, and perhaps work toward getting him released.
According to a source, “he was also seized and arrested upon arrival at the station on suspicion that he may be associated with the non-violence and non-exodus movement.
His driver, Mr. Udebunu Anachuna, who drove the Fr. Aniebonem to the station was equally arrested alongside Mr. Christian Ifeji, Johnson Anagor and Mr. Kanayo Madu.
“A similar development occurred in Onitsha when Mr. Mathew Ani was also arrested on Tuesday, on allegation of belonging to the Indigenous people of Biafra, IPOB, which he had earlier denied.
“Mathew said he was not a member of IPOB but that he belonged to Uwazuruike’s BIM-MASSOB.”
Confirming the report to newsmen in a Onitsha, MASSOB Director of Information, Mazi Chris Mocha said Mathew is being detained at the Area Command’s cell in Onitsha.
“We have just engaged the services of our lawyer to ensure the early release of the men including that of an 87 year old man,” the statement reads.
Reacting, Spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, (DSP), said, “Our operatives working on reliable information, raided their office along Oyeagu Ifitedunu road on 25/09/2023 and a lot of incriminating items and unpatriotic materials that show disloyalty to the Federal Republic of Nigeria were found.
“Meanwhile the case is still under investigation as I talk to you.”